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ruel
07-16-2009, 05:26 PM
General Questions

1) What is your budget?

My budget is about $1500 Canadian with shipping, taxes, etc. (so that's about $1350 American). I can spend more, though, if I have to.

2) What size notebook would you prefer? b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) What country are you buying this in?

Canada

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

I've never bought a laptop so I haven no preference.

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

I'll be taking notes, using the internet, and sending email. I'd also like to start playing some games because I've never really had a good computer before. I will also probably be doing some CAD once I start university (although it might not occur until my second year).

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

I'll be taking it places with me (university).

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

I'd like to play Fallout 3, Oblivion, other new games (maybe some Call of Duty games), and also some older games.

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?

I would like at least 3 if possible. I need it to last as long as possible for lectures.

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

I don't mind.
10) What OS do you prefer? (more details below)

I'm looking to get Vista Home Premium (64bit) and then get the free upgrade to Windows 7. Screen Specifics

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below) I don't really know much about resolution, but I think these two would be fine:

d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

OR

e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.


12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen?

I'm not sure because I haven't owned a laptop before. I like the glossy look better, though. Also, I don't think I'll be using it in really bright places, so glossy should be fine, but I'd be okay with matte as well.

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

It's just a bonus.

14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

I would like it to last me 4+ years.

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB, 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 1.5TB?

320GB or more.

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, CD/DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

I just need it to burn/play DVD's and CD's.

17) What speed CPU/Processor would you like? Dual core or Quad Core CPU?

I would like 2.4GHz or more and dual core or quad core are both fine.

----
So far I was thinking about getting the NP2098...

ruel
07-18-2009, 11:25 PM
Now I'm thinking about two different laptops. Can you tell me which one would fit my needs better, and also if I should update any of the components that I list (like a better processor or higher resolution, a battery with more cells, etc.):
http://www.xoticpc.com/images/2098xx.jpg (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2581%7B76%7D1476%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2422%7B88%7D2300%7B194 %7D2594%7B186%7D1532%7B93%7D2266%7B193%7D657%7B112 %7D656%7B98%7D1295%7B96%7D2434%7B168%7D1453%7B116% 7D696%7B117%7D890%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2486%7B169%7 D1449%7B119%7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107% 7D1980%7B106%7D1691%7B121%7D694%7B108%7D710%7B109% 7D711%7B170%7D1591%7B173%7D1175%7B167%7D1451%7B103 %7D1889%7B113%7D1413%7B111%7D1414%7B69%7D1513) Sager NP2098 Custom Laptop (Built on the Compal KHLB2) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2581%7B76%7D1476%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2422%7B88%7D2300%7B194 %7D2594%7B186%7D1532%7B93%7D2266%7B193%7D657%7B112 %7D656%7B98%7D1295%7B96%7D2434%7B168%7D1453%7B116% 7D696%7B117%7D890%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2486%7B169%7 D1449%7B119%7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107% 7D1980%7B106%7D1691%7B121%7D694%7B108%7D710%7B109% 7D711%7B170%7D1591%7B173%7D1175%7B167%7D1451%7B103 %7D1889%7B113%7D1413%7B111%7D1414%7B69%7D1513)
- 15.6" HD 16:9 WXGA Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy LED Screen (1366x768)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P8700 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- ATI HD4650 512MB PCI-Express DDR3
- No External Graphics Card
- No Video Adapter
- ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires Vista 64-Bit to utilize Full 4GB) -
- None Standard--
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- No Back Up Hard Drive
- No Floppy Drive
- Internal 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5100 802.11 a/g/n
- No Network Accessory
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- No TV Tuner
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- No Car Adapter
- None Standard*
- No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- No External Keyboard or Mouse
- Regular Size Notebook Cooler - Dual Fans - USB Powered (For up to 15.4" Laptops)
- ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) + Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Upgrade Coupon w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- No Office Software
- No Software Bundle
- 1 Year Parts & Labor, Lifetime Sager Toll Free Tech Support

http://www.xoticpc.com/images/3551x.jpg (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2596%7B76%7D2005%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2446%7B88%7D2463%7B194 %7D2594%7B186%7D1532%7B93%7D2507%7B193%7D657%7B112 %7D656%7B98%7D1907%7B96%7D2461%7B168%7D1453%7B116% 7D696%7B117%7D707%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D1095%7B169%7 D1449%7B119%7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107% 7D1980%7B106%7D1691%7B121%7D694%7B108%7D710%7B109% 7D711%7B170%7D1492%7B173%7D1175%7B167%7D1451%7B103 %7D2020%7B113%7D1413%7B111%7D1414%7B69%7D2536) FORCE 3551 (Built on MSI-1651-ID2 / GT628) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2596%7B76%7D2005%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2446%7B88%7D2463%7B194 %7D2594%7B186%7D1532%7B93%7D2507%7B193%7D657%7B112 %7D656%7B98%7D1907%7B96%7D2461%7B168%7D1453%7B116% 7D696%7B117%7D707%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D1095%7B169%7 D1449%7B119%7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107% 7D1980%7B106%7D1691%7B121%7D694%7B108%7D710%7B109% 7D711%7B170%7D1492%7B173%7D1175%7B167%7D1451%7B103 %7D2020%7B113%7D1413%7B111%7D1414%7B69%7D2536)
- 15.4" WXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1280x800) - MSI
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- -Intel® P8700 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- nVidia GeForce GTS 160M 1024MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10
- No External Graphics Card
- No Video Adapter
- - 4,096MB (2 SODIMMS) DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (Requires Vista 64-Bit to utilize 4GB+) (Corsair, Kingston or Crucial)
- None Standard--
- Standard Finish
- - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- - 320GB 7200RPM WD or Seagate (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)
- No Back Up Hard Drive
- No Floppy Drive
- Internal 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n
- No Network Accessory
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- No TV Tuner
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- No Car Adapter
- None Standard*
- No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- No Fingerprint Reader
- No External Keyboard or Mouse
- Regular Size Notebook Cooler - Dual Fans - USB Powered (For up to 15.4" Laptops)
- -Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit + Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Coupon w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- No Office Software
- No Software Bundle
- 1 Year Complete Care Warranty - 1 Year Parts with 2nd Day Shipping, 24/7 Telephone Tech Support & Lifetime Labor Warranty

L n L
07-20-2009, 02:13 PM
Bump to the top, for recommendations.

I'm a mid-40's guy, going back to college. I'll be working on a B.S. in Physical Science (taking alot of physics courses). Like Ruel, I am in the market for a portable laptop with good battery life, in the same basic price range. I probably will not do as much gaming as he may, but I still may do a little with it :cool:

The NP 2098 seems to be well ahead of the rest, in terms of battery life. Research on other sites indicates the fit/finish of that case is not all that great, though. Any alternatives?

thanks,
Lee

ruel
07-20-2009, 02:31 PM
Bump to the top, for recommendations.

I'm a mid-40's guy, going back to college. I'll be working on a B.S. in Physical Science (taking alot of physics courses). Like Ruel, I am in the market for a portable laptop with good battery life, in the same basic price range. I probably will not do as much gaming as he may, but I still may do a little with it :cool:

The NP 2098 seems to be well ahead of the rest, in terms of battery life. Research on other sites indicates the fit/finish of that case is not all that great, though. Any alternatives?

thanks,
Lee

Well... I just used the livechat today to talk to Jason W. from XoticPC and he said that the laptops that fit with what I wanted were the NP2098 and the Force 3551.

The Force has a better graphics card, but a worse battery life and a higher price.

Why don't you just look at some picture of the NP2098 (just search google) and see if the case looks okay to you?